This week, online giant Amazon issued an email to its Prime customers that caused a furious uproar. In the email, Amazon said that it would be increasing the cost of its Prime membership for both monthly and annual users.
Now Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has issued a stern warning to anyone with Amazon Prime, reports Manchester Evening News. Martin Lewis tweeted: "Amazon Prime to hike price. On 15 Sept, the monthly membership price increases from £7.99 to £8.99, and annual membership from £79 to £95."
He added: "If you currently pay monthly, and want to keep it, if you can afford switch to annual now, to get next year at £79. Pls share."
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Martin's tweet sparked a strong response. Many people say they will now cancel Amazon Prime as a result of the price increase.
@de519n said: "I'm going to cancel Prime & Netflix and I also have YouTube that I pay for That’s £40 a month saved." @MrWButterfield wrote: "Just had the email. What a hike. Blooming cheek. Can't live without Amazon though. What to do?"
@gazzas89 said: "Or, everyone cancels because of the price hike, you'll see amazon quickly drop that price back down." @VoxLibero said: "That's way above the fictional gov't inflation figure. So, £12 more p.a. if you pay monthly and £16 more if you pay annually. A 12.5% increase on the monthly fee and a whopping 20% increase on the annual fee."
@floozy666 asked: "How do Amazon justify 'only' 12% increase for monthly payments but 17% increase for those of us that pay up front?" @Mikes_Brother slammed: "To all those shouting "It's only a Pound" It's a twelve percent increase. Accept that on everything..."
However, some people don't understand the outrage, and have said they're happy to just cancel if prices are rising. @SarahConway128 said: "I don’t understand the outrage here. Personally if I got rid of Amazon tomorrow, my life won’t change one bit. Just don’t renew it. I won’t."
@philli73507827 said: "But it is the first price rise since 2014 and look how much fuel has gone up for delivery since then." @RevagreenukAndy wrote: "Need to remember Prime is an optional luxury and you should assess if you can afford it. Amazon are entitled to raise prices so it’s very much your own circumstance and call if you want to pay it. The world is becoming a subscription provider…."
A spokeswoman for Amazon Prime said: "Prime offers the best of shopping and entertainment, and continues to improve each year. We have increased the number of products available with fast, unlimited Prime delivery, recently added ultra-fast fresh grocery delivery, and have significantly expanded our high-quality digital entertainment, including TV, movies, music, games, and books. With increased inflation and operating costs in the UK continuing to rise, we will change the price of Prime."
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